Abigail Alderman '11

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​What is your current occupation, and where are you located?I am currently the managing editor of marketing communications at Hearst, a media and information company in New York City. Hearst publishes magazines including Harper’s BAZAAR, Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan, newspapers such as the San Francisco Chronicle and Connecticut Post, owns TV stations around the country and invests in digital media brands like BuzzFeed, Vice and Complex.

What do you like about the work you do (or what are you most proud of)?I like that no day is ever the same. Because Hearst is such a diverse holding company, our department works to create communications tied to over 300 Hearst brands and partners. Additionally, we manage the company’s corporate website, social media handles, press announcements and special events. I am most proud of Hearst’s redesigned media newsletter that we send to 20,000+ subscribers each morning—learning to code as an English Major was challenging, but very rewarding!

Did you know, when you graduated from Trinity, the direction your career would take?When I graduated from Trinity, I wanted to be a book editor. While completing the Columbia Publishing Course after graduation, I realized my interests and strengths were a better fit for the PR/communications field. At the time, I spoke with my professors and Trinity graduates who were already in the working world—they all told me that your career path is never a straight line, and they were right. I’ve seen my role evolve in really exciting ways over the past five years.

How do you think being an English Major prepared you for the work you are doing now?Being an English Major gives you invaluable communications skills. All of those double-digit-length papers on Lord Byron and Shakespeare really prepare you to write about everything and anything. The ability to think analytically is also extremely necessary in the working world, no matter what you decide to do. Most importantly, the English Department’s small class sizes encourage you to speak up and feel confident sharing your ideas.

If you could give one piece of professional advice to current English Majors at Trinity College, what would that be? Ask for advice! At first, I felt uncomfortable reaching out to Trinity alums for career guidance, but I didn’t encounter a single person who wasn’t more than willing to help. Even if someone can’t offer you a job, they can connect you with others, share some industry knowledge, or even take a look at your resume.

Last question: you have two hours here at Trinity College (we've beamed you in using special technology)-how are you going to spend your time?On the quad—hopefully with some take-out from Trinity Restaurant!